In this thrilling journey into the mysteries of our cosmos, best-selling author Michio Kaku takes us on a dizzying ride to explore black holes and time machines, multidimensional space and, most tantalizing of all, the possibility that parallel universes may lay alongside our own.

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Publisher's Summary

In this thrilling journey into the mysteries of our cosmos, best-selling author Michio Kaku takes us on a dizzying ride to explore black holes and time machines, multidimensional space, and most tantalizing of all, the possibility that parallel universes may exist alongside our own.

Kaku skillfully guides us through the latest innovations in string theory and its latest iteration, M-theory, which posits that our universe may be just one in an endless multiverse, a singular bubble floating in a sea of infinite bubble universes. If M-theory is proven correct, we may perhaps finally find an answer to the question, "What happened before the big bang?"

This is an exciting and unforgettable introduction into the new cutting-edge theories of physics and cosmology from one of the pre-eminent voices in the field.

Okay, so maybe, just maybe I understood 10% of this book? No big deal. There was always just enough that I could understand to keep me reading; I mean listening. The voice of the narrator is beautiful. There is enough repetition to actually help one to have some understanding of some rather deep stuff. I'll listen to it again and I think I will understand more. I know I will enjoy it again.

I approached Dr. Kaku's book because he deals with territories alien to me (literally and figuratively). Parallel Worlds has forced me to unlearn a lot that I have taken for granted all my life (the sun is not the source of our universe; gravity is not absolute). If you listen to this in the car you might miss some of the finer points, but listen anywhere you can. You can always back up and listen again or hear the entire book over. Even if you don't replay portions, you'll benefit by the general tenor and information presented.

This book is informative, not difficult to follow (even a lay person can do it - though I don't know if a caveman could), and well read. Enjoy.

This book (well written & narrated) is worthy to be ranked, with Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything and Science Matters by James Trefil & Robert M Hazen, as amongst the best science books for the layman. I highly recommend all 3 and request that Audible provide more titles by Michio Kaku.

I've listened to a number of books on cosmology and quantum physics and this book, in my opinion, is by far the best. It doesn't get bogged down in dry mathematics, but challenges your intellect with cutting edge concepts. Just the right blend of historical background is included to bring the subject to life. I found the discussion of parallel universes particularly intriguing.

You don't have to be a science nerd to enjoy this book. Yes it is full of jargon, but the author explains everything as simply as possible and the text is interspersed with insightful background stories of how the ideas/theories grew. Fascinating and in-depth I will have to listen to the book several times to fully appreciate some of the more complex theories. The audio reader is also 5 star and makes me feel I am listing to the author himself. If you liked the movie 'What the Bleep' you will also love this book.

The elements of the book I found most interesting were the discussions about the M-theory and the possibility of multiverses. Just the thought that there could be parallel universes is mind-blowing. If you only read one book about this subject, I recommend that you consider this one. The author's enthusiastic approach to the topic makes it an enjoyable read.

Let me first say that I am not a physicist, nor have I taken any type of physics class since high school. I do however have a keen interest in the cosmos and it's genisis. This book was great! Somehow, Kaku has a the knack of translating his vast knowledge and making the reader understand almost everything. He is an amazing teacher! There were a couple of spots that were a little tricky to navigate, but they are summountable. I finished the book saying "Hey, I know physics!". If you have interest in such topics, this would be my first stop on the knowledge train!

I know many people might wonder at listening to a physics related book for enjoyment, but I'd have to encourage then to give this a go. The material isn't dumbed down to the point of losing coherence, but likewise it isn't so dry as to be a sleeping-pill. My sincere hope is that someday Michio Kaku would consider narrating his own books as he has the enjoyment for the subject and a good presenter's style. That said, the team that produced this one did very well.

I highly recommend this audiobook for anyone who likes to contemplate mind-bending concepts and enjoys pushing the boundaries of physics. There is a fair amount of philosophy and investigating how science approaches the problem of "the meaning of life". I will have to listen to this again just to absorb all the awesome and wild ideas introduced, all backed up with cutting-edge science.
Also, this narrator was one of the best out of the several audiobooks I have downloaded from audible. If only all narrators had his clear, articulate voice.

So many interesting ideas! Dr.Kaku is able to write about many very complex ideas in a manner that makes you want to know more and more. At times without a good mathamatical background I did get lost, yet not in a manner that caused me to give up, but in a manner that has made me look forward to rereading this book again and again. What fun! So many wonderful concepts to think about.

A lucid exposition of the ideas facing physicists and theorists of today, Michio Kaku's exposition is sublime, something you can listen to over and over again.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Bashar

londonUnited Kingdom

4/22/10

Overall

"Brilliant"

A great book on Cosmology, its history, developing and current theories.
Beautifully written, well explained to help interested people learn about the universe without needing a degree in astro physics.

I couldn't stop listening over and over to its chapters, its a good book on the subject makes you want to buy a hard copy

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Chris

Twickenham, United Kingdom

6/9/11

Overall

"wow geeky and really hard work"

I love science don't get me wrong, but I am an enthusiastic amateur and with a 1st Class Engineering degree, not hard core physics. I found about 75% ok and able to cope with but some of this stuff is just weird. I got lost around symmetry around 2/3rds in, and while I recovered the journey became disjointed. Mind bending and interesting, yes, Hard core stuff, yes, made easy, only partially.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Jonathan

Bedford, United Kingdom

1/29/11

Overall

"A grand tour"

A very interesting and accessible grand tour around modern physics. I'd have given it 5 stars, but I personally felt that the latter parts of the book were not quite as well done as the excellent earlier parts. In particular I felt the pacing was a bit off later on and sometimes the explanations would have benefited from further elaboration. However, saying that, it's not stopping me from listening to it again, there's a lot here to get the teeth into, would highly recommended for anyone interested in physics, might even buy the book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Peter

Hailsham, United Kingdom

8/18/11

Overall

"Lucid attack on mumbo jumbo"

Without making the subject sensational, Michio Kaku manages to excite and entertain. The book clearly provides a solid basis for the enquiring reader who is willing to question the worship of the so called wisdom of the past. This book liberates us from doctrinal nonsense, but you have to be willing to accept the startling nature of some of the truly wonderful ideas explored here. This is science writing of the best kind for the general reader.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Ashley

EXMOUTH, United Kingdom

6/29/11

Overall

"Good book, but, a bit out there"

This was a really good book, loved the detailed explanation string theory, I kind of did expect that from Michio Kaku.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Mr B.Kirk

Brigstowe, Uk

1/21/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Superb"

If you could sum up Parallel Worlds in three words, what would they be?

If you have any interest in space, the galaxy, the universe, the multi universes, time travel etc and your not a astro-physicist, mathematician or a professor then this book offers great insight into a previously inaccessible world. The language and simple metaphors used help your average, curious thinker like me to begin to appreciate the cosmos. The narrator's voice and delivery are perfect for this type of book

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

christan

12/18/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Absolutely what I was looking for"

Would you listen to Parallel Worlds again? Why?

Yes I will most likely keep referencing it, firstly because at a first listen there are so many brilliant principles covered and each one explained opens a door of exploration and secondly along with brilliant references to other works and quotes (which I will go and find and read - including some sci-fi but based upon good science) it is clearly not a book for the sake writing just an educational book, it is designed to give you get the feeling of the excitement that Michio has felt through his lifetime studying these matters and opens up your mind in a logically creative way.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes but if I answered that I could spoil it for someone.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Olivier

7/7/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Disappointing performance"

Would you consider the audio edition of Parallel Worlds to be better than the print version?

Probably not, the performance actually undermines the whole work.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Marc Vietor?

Michio Kaku is a great performer. His speeches are usually inspiring, well punctuated and his tone keeps you wanting more. Unfortunately, the narrator's performance doesn't even nearly live up to that and I found myself stalling occasionally given how bland and monotonous the delivery was. Granted, the tone of voice matches somehow's Michio Kaku's, but everything else isn't right.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This isn't a book about conveying emotions but ideas. The most interesting part to me, however, was a bout the history of string theory and how it tied with the knowledge of the time.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Hector

Beckenham, Kent, United Kingdom

4/13/13

Overall

"Science to the people"

This is a wonderful book. It takes you from the basics of physics and cosmology (through the 4th dimension of time) in an amazing journey of discovery. The language used by Michi Kaku never falls in the complex scientific jargon but eloquently explain difficult subjects with excellent examples and imagery from popular books and movies.

Things get a bit more difficult when he brings us to the ideas of other parallel dimensions, string theory, dark matter and dark energy. Don’t despair, because his objective is not to make you a physicist, but to open your eyes to the new concepts that modern scientist had to tackle nowadays.

Finally, there is an obvious conflict between his religious believes and his scientific work, and he “sits on the fence” in this controversial subject trying not to take a position that I think increases his popular appeal but at the same time diminish his objectivity. Nevertheless, he has done a real good job bringing science to the masses in such a brilliant way that I bought a hard cover edition of this book as a present for my teenager daughter who is interested in science. She is reading it at the moment and I'm sure one day she will remember that wonderful book of amazement that her father found for her. Thank you Dr. Kaku.

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